New Bern meeting in advance of shrimp bycatch hearing

A meeting on commercial shrimping bycatch reduction scheduled for Monday in New Bern is being called important advance look at a public hearing on the same subject later this month.

The Shrimp Bycatch Reduction Industry Work Group meets at New Bern Riverfront Convention Center at 10:30 a.m. This meeting is just eight days prior to a public meeting at the same location by the N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission’s advisory groups.

They will hear comments on a petition for rulemaking that is requesting what industry leaders call “severe restrictions on North Carolina’s shrimpers.”

“We anticipate a very large turnout for the meeting on the 17th, but this coming Monday can help with the perspective,” said Jerry Schill, president of the North Carolina Fisheries Association.

Schill said the work group is comprised of Division of Marine Fisheries biologists, shrimp boat owners, shrimp packers, net makers and Sea Grant.

“This meeting will provide a summation of the second year of the three-year project,” Schill said. “Shrimping and the associated industries that support it are huge contributors to the economy of Eastern North Carolina. In addition, locally caught and sustainable shrimp is very important to the consumer and restaurants.”